On a recent edition of “The Kurt Angle Show” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry discussed signing with WWE, being rushed to live television, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On coming in with a big deal and being resented: “Oh yeah, they hated my guts. And sabotaged me intentionally, tried to sabotage me and I never got joked with by anybody. I mean, we joked around with my friends. You play the dozens, talk about your mama, that kind of thing. But nobody ever put like, salt in my food when I wasn’t looking or tried to put pills in my drink to knock me out, or put s**t in my food or — you know, man, it was so much that happened like the ribbing got ridiculous.”
On ribbing in WWE in the late 90s: “It was ridiculous. And there were points where people took liberties. Like, they knew they could get away with it and the framework of wrestling. So they would knock the shit out of me.”
On people taking advantage of him: “I didn’t know better. So once I started knowing better, I started going, ‘No, I’m not doing that.’ And, [they’re like] ‘Oh, you’re a big star.’ It was that s**t, like man it was bad. And then they realized that I would fight. And when I got angry, it’s very entertaining when I’m angry. Kurt’ll tell you, like, I don’t mind it if you want it. Let’s go. Oh, I don’t give a s**t who you are.”
On being rushed to TV: “My first match was a pay-per-view. Vince [McMahon] has admitted to it. He said that he was like, ‘Man, in a perfect world, I wish we’d have had another year or two to wait before we’ — Mainly for, not just for the wrestling. But to be able to be more mature and integrate with the locker room, and have the locker room realize, ‘The business is changing, guys. We’re going to have professional athletes start to come in and be trained.’ Lawrence Taylor came to WrestleMania. And one of the reasons he said that he didn’t keep wrestling is because he hated being there. How awful is that?”
You can keep up with all your wrestling news right here on eWrestlingNews.com. Or, you can follow us over on our Twitter and Facebook pages.
Mark Henry, WWE Hall of Famer, recently appeared on “The Kurt Angle Show” podcast to discuss his experience signing with WWE and being rushed to live television. During the podcast, Henry opened up about the challenges he faced and the ribbing he endured in the wrestling industry.
One of the topics Henry touched upon was the resentment he faced when he first joined WWE. He revealed that people in the company hated him and intentionally tried to sabotage him. While ribbing is common in the wrestling industry, Henry explained that it went beyond playful banter. He shared instances where people took advantage of him, physically assaulting him and crossing boundaries. However, as he gained more experience and knowledge, Henry learned to stand up for himself and refuse to be mistreated.
Henry also discussed the issue of being rushed to television. He revealed that his first match in WWE was a pay-per-view event, which was a significant debut for any wrestler. However, in hindsight, Henry acknowledged that it would have been beneficial to have more time to mature and integrate with the locker room. He mentioned how the business was changing, with professional athletes joining wrestling and needing proper training. Henry cited Lawrence Taylor’s negative experience in WWE as an example of how rushing talent can have adverse effects.
Throughout the podcast, Henry’s passion for wrestling and his determination to overcome challenges were evident. He emphasized that he would not tolerate mistreatment and was willing to stand up for himself. His willingness to fight back and his entertaining personality made him a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
In addition to the podcast, fans can also watch a video of the interview on YouTube, titled “The Kurt Angle Show #142: Special Guest, Mark Henry.” The video provides further insight into Henry’s experiences and sheds light on his journey in the wrestling world.
For more wrestling news and updates, fans can visit eWrestlingNews.com or follow their Twitter and Facebook pages.
Mark Henry’s interview on “The Kurt Angle Show” podcast offers a glimpse into the challenges he faced during his early years in WWE. His story serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up for oneself and the need for proper integration and training in the wrestling industry.